- Capitalism and Alternatives -

Proportional Representation would help..

In Reply to: non-democracy posted by Gee on April 06, 1999 at 12:55:00:

: You might find it interesting to do a search for democrcay on this page and read the posts related to it. You'll find lots of defintions and point, some mine.

: My 'beef' with democracy is that its wrong in principle. Unlimited democracy is simply rule by force of the strongest mob (ie the most numbers). A dictatorship by majorities if you will. I see no 'good' in that.

: But your point, that in America (and most of the democractic world) democracy means a tenuous link between you and those in power, is true.

: If America was consistent in its application of the constitution and bill of rights then nearly every activity by todays government would be barred. It never was truly consistent and the cracks just keep getting wider.

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The point, it seems to me, is that we should join with those who are trying to make democracy work. The idea of some form of aristocracy or plutocracy (which is close to what we now "enjoy") is not likely to appeal to your "masses", at least not without a good deal of coercion, and we know how you feel about coercion;)

One step toward both greater participation and guarantee of minority rights would be to go to a proportional representation system rather than the current "winner-take-all". There are numerous variations of proportional representation, and I think with the examples around the world, the U.S. should be able to find at least One that would work. At least it would give minority parties a chance and it would certainly help politicize the electorate.

(ps- Congratulations to the Greens for electing the first Green to a state (California) assembly seat last week)